20192020Annual Report

(12 May 2019 - 11 May 2020)(12 Cèitean 2019 - 11 Cèitean 2020)

Aithisg Bhliadhnail

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© Dlighe-sgrìobhaidh pàrlamaideach. Buidheann Chorporra Pàrlamaid na h-Alba 2020 Pàipear PA 777 Eadar-lìon a-mhàin. Seisean 5 (2020)

© Parliamentary copyright. Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body 2020 SP Paper Number 777 Web Only. Session 5 (2020)

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Contents Foreword by the Presiding Officer 4Parliamentary business 8 Committees 29International engagement 32Engagement with the public 37

Clàr-innse Facal-toisich bhon Oifigear Riaghlaidh 6Gnothaichean pàrlamaideach 8Comataidhean 29Com-pàirteachadh eadar-nàiseanta 32Com-pàirteachadh leis a’ phoball 37

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Foreword by the Presiding OfficerThis penultimate report of our fifth parliamentary session caps another remarkable year in the constantly evolving life of our Scottish Parliament.

Last year I spoke of how we embedded many of the Commission on Parliamentary Reform’s recommendations designed to bring more flexibility and responsiveness to our procedures, ensuring we are always in a position to discuss the big issues of the day. We introduced urgent questions and a new Portfolio Questions and these have now become a regular and important part of our weekly scrutiny of the Scottish Government. While I am immensely proud of the ingenuity, flexibility and skill of our parliamentary officials at all times, over the last few months they have excelled, enabling us to continue to provide scrutiny and governmental accountability in the midst of a global public health crisis. Despite

the obvious challenges, we tested a range of options for virtual working and held our very first Leaders’ Virtual Question Time, giving party leaders the opportunity to question the First Minister from their constituencies and regions around the country. The success of this format was quickly built upon to allow other members, from across the political parties, to scrutinise ministers on behalf of their constituents.In the current, fast-moving and challenging period facing the Parliament and the people of Scotland, it is easy to forget all that went beforehand in more ‘normal’ times. This same past year saw Her Majesty The Queen address the Chamber as part of our 20th

anniversary celebrations. In her first visit 20 years ago, Her Majesty talked about the start of a new constitutional age, the importance of channelling the energy of the young and being open and accessible to serve all the people of Scotland. It was fitting, therefore, that we were joined this year by some of the young Scots who were born on 1 July 1999 and who have grown up with their Parliament. Following the more formal proceedings of the day, we opened our doors to everyone for a fun-filled day including live music and dance at Holyrood. I look back at those events now with the determination that, despite the current turmoil, upset and uncertainty, Scotland and its parliament will emerge stronger. The

Parliament, like every area of life, is adapting and responding to a bewildering set of circumstances. I am confident, however, that the measures we continue to put in place will allow us to function as the place for scrutiny, transparency and accountability and ensure the Parliament fulfils its democratic promise to the people of this country.

Rt Hon Ken Macintosh MSP

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Facal-toisich bhon Oifigear RiaghlaidhTha an aithisg leth-dheireannach seo den chòigeamh seisean pàrlamaideach againn a’ cur crìoch air bliadhna iongantach eile ann an sìor leasachadh Pàrlamaid na h-Alba.

An-uiridh bhruidhinn mi air mar a dhaingnich sinn mòran de mholaidhean a’ Choimisein air Ath-leasachadh Pàrlamaideach gus barrachd sùbailteachd agus mothachaidh a thoirt do ar dòighean-obrach agus gus dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil sinn an-còmhnaidh comasach air cùisean mòra an latha a dheasbad. Stèidhich

sinn ceistean èiginneach agus Ceistean Portfolio ùr agus tha iad sin a-nis nam pàirt chunbhalach, chudromach den sgrùdadh a nì sinn air an Riaghaltas gach seachdain. Ged a tha mi an-còmhnaidh anabarrach pròiseil à innleachdas, sùbailteachd agus sgil ar n-oifigearan pàrlamaideach tha iad air a bhith gu sònraichte ionmholta thar nam beagan mhìosan a chaidh seachad, a’ toirt cothrom dhuinn cumail oirnn le sgrùdadh is

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cunntachalachd riaghaltais am measg èiginn slàinte phoblaich. A dh’aindeoin nan dùbhlan, dh’fheuch sinn grunn dhòighean air obair air astar agus chùm sinn a’ chiad àm Cheistean Cheannardan Bhiortail a leig le ceannardan nam pàrtaidhean ceistean a chur air a’ Phrìomh Mhinistear bho na sgìrean-taghaidh agus roinnean aca air feadh na dùthcha. Le soirbheachas na dòigh-obrach seo cha b’ fhada gus an robh buill eile a’ sgrùdadh mhinistearan às leth an luchd-taghaidh aca.Anns an àm dhuilich, chaochlaideach seo don Phàrlamaid agus do shluagh na h-Alba, tha e furasta dìochuimhneachadh na chaidh roimhe ann an amannan nas ‘àbhaistiche’. Anns an aon bhliadhna seo rinn A Mòrachd a’ Bhanrigh òraid don t-Seòmar mar phàirt de chuirm cuimhneachaidh 20 bliadhna na Pàrlamaid. Nuair a thadhail i son a’ chiad turas 20 bliadhna air ais, bhruidhinn A Mòrachd air toiseach linne bhun-reachdail ùir, agus air cho cudromach ’s a bha e lùth na h-òigridh a ghlacadh agus a bhith fosgailte is ruigsinneach gus sluagh na h-Alba uile a fhrithealadh. Air an adhbhar sin, bha e freagarrach gun robh cuid de na h-Albannaich òga còmhla rinn a rugadh air 1 Iuchar 1999 agus a tha air fàs suas leis a’ Phàrlamaid aca. Às dèidh cùisean foirmeil an latha, dh’fhosgail sinn ar dorsan do na h-uile

airson latha spòrsail làn ciùil is dannsa aig Taigh an Ròid. Tha mi a’ coimhead air ais air na tachartasan sin le dealas gum bi Alba agus a Pàrlamaid, a dh’aindeoin ùpraid, bròn is mì-chinnt, eadhon nas treasa san àm ri teachd. Tha a’ Phàrlamaid, coltach ri gach raon beatha eile, ag atharrachadh agus a’ freagradh ri suidheachadh air leth buaireasach. Tha mi cinnteach, ge-tà, leis an ullachadh a tha sinn fhathast a’ cur an sàs gu lean a’ Phàrlamaid oirre mar àite airson sgrùdadh, follaiseachd agus cunntachalachd agus gum faigh i air a gealltanas deamocratach a choileanadh do shluagh na dùthcha seo.

Am Fìor Urr. Coinneach Mac an Tòisich BPA

Parliamentary businessGnothaichean pàrlamaideachThe ChamberBusiness in the Chamber is a central part of the Scottish Parliament’s work, where Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) debate a wide range of political issues, policy proposals and legislation. Business in the Chamber also includes the questioning of the First Minister and other Scottish ministers, statements by cabinet secretaries and ministers, scrutiny of legislation, and debates on motions brought forward by non-government parties and by committees, as well as the opportunity to debate motions proposed by individual MSPs.During the parliamentary year, two new MSPs were sworn in, following the resignation of two MSPs who left the Parliament to take up roles outside elected politics. One of these new MSPs (Sarah Boyack) was a replacement from the regional ‘list’; the other new member (Beatrice Wishart) was elected for a constituency following a by-election.As in previous years of this session, events outside Scotland have continued to influence business in the Chamber, both in terms of the business considered and the way in which business is conducted.

An Seòmar Tha gnothaichean an t-Seòmair aig cridhe obair Pàrlamaid na h-Alba, far am bi Buill Pàrlamaid na h-Alba (BPA) a’ deasbad air raon farsaing de chùisean poilitigeach, molaidhean poileasaidh agus reachdas. Tha gnothaichean san t-Seòmar cuideachd a’ toirt a-steach ceasnachadh a’ Phrìomh Mhinisteir agus ministearan Albannach eile, aithrisean le rùnairean caibineit agus ministearan, sgrùdadh reachdais, deasbadan air gluasadan le pàrtaidhean neo-riaghaltais agus cothrom deasbad air gluasadan le buill fa leth.Rè na bliadhna pàrlamaidich, chaidh dithis BhPA ùr a thoirt a-steach, às dèidh do dhithis BhPA a’ Phàrlamaid fhàgail gus dreuchdan a ghabhail taobh a-muigh poilitigs taghaidh. Chaidh aon de na BPA ùra (Sarah Boyack) a thoirt bhon liosta roinneil; chaidh an tè eile (Beatrice Wishart) a thaghadh airson sgìre-taghaidh às dèidh frith-thaghadh.Ionann ri bliadhnaichean eile san t-seisean seo, tha tachartasan taobh a-muigh na h-Alba a’ toirt buaidh air gnothaichean anns an t-Seòmar, a thaobh nan gnothaichean a tha gan deasbad agus an dòigh sa bheil gnothaichean gan deasbad.

MSPs in the ChamberBPA san t-Seòmar

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Matters relating to Brexit continued to be considered regularly, both before and after a negotiated deal for the UK’s departure from the European Union (EU) was agreed. Questions on the issue featured at Portfolio Questions, First Minister’s Questions (FMQs) and in both government and non-government debates. A number of ministerial statements were also made on preparations for the UK leaving the EU and on the impact of Brexit on particular areas of life and work in Scotland.In the later part of the year, business in the Chamber adapted in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. From March 2020, significant changes were made to reduce the amount of business scheduled and to put in place revised arrangements for attendance in the Chamber to ensure that MSPs could participate in business while observing social distancing. On 1 April, the Parliament considered the Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill, with all three stages of the bill considered on a single day, including a sitting of a Committee of the Whole Parliament. During the period of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Parliament took steps to enable it to meet remotely via videoconferencing. This culminated in the Parliament holding its first fully remote plenary business on Thursday 7 May 2020 and making preparations to hold hybrid plenary business.

Chaidh cùisean co-cheangailte ri Brexit fhathast a dheasbad gu cunbhalach, ron rèiteachadh airson an RA an t-Aonadh Eòrpach (AE) fhàgail agus às a dhèidh. Nochd ceistean air a’ chùis aig Ceistean Portfolio, Ceistean don Phrìomh Mhinistear (FMQs) agus ann an deasbadan riaghaltais is neo-riaghaltais. Chaidh grunn aithrisean ministreil a dhèanamh cuideachd air ullachadh na RA airson an AE fhàgail agus buaidh Brexit air raointean beatha is obrach ann an Alba.Faisg air deireadh na bliadhna, dh’atharraich gnothach san t-Seòmar air sgàth a’ ghalair lèir-sgaoilte Covid-19. Bhon Mhàrt 2020, rinneadh atharrachadh mòr gus an t-uiread ghnothaichean a bh’ ann a lùghdachadh agus chaidh ullachaidhean sònraichte a dhèanamh airson làthaireachd san t-Seòmar gus a bhith cinnteach gum b’ urrainn do BPA pàirt a ghabhail ann an gnothach le astarachadh sòisealta ga chumail an-àirde. Air 1 Giblean, bheachdaich a’ Phàrlamaid air Bile a’ Chorònabhìorais (Alba), leis na trì ìrean uile gam beachdachadh air an aon latha, a’ gabhail a-steach Comataidh den Làn Phàrlamaid. Rè àm a’ ghalair lèir-sgaoilte Covid-19, ghabh a’ Phàrlamaid ceumannan gus am b’ urrainnear coinneachadh tro cho-labhairt bhidio. Mar thoradh air seo, chaidh a’ chiad mhòr-choinneamh phàrlamaideach a chumail air astar air Diardaoin 7 Cèitean 2020 agus gus ullachaidhean a dhènanamh gus mòr-choinneamhan measgaichte a chumail.

The Parliamentary BureauMembership of the Bureau comprises the Presiding Officer, who chairs the meetings, along with one representative from each of the political parties represented in the Parliament (currently five parties).Agendas for meetings of the Parliament are proposed by the Parliamentary Bureau on a business motion which, once approved, forms a rolling programme of business for the coming fortnight.

Biùro na Pàrlamaid Tha ballrachd Biùro na Pàrlamaid air a dèanamh suas den Oifigear Riaghlaidh, a bhios sa chathair aig na coinneamhan, agus aon riochdaire bhon a h-uile pàrtaidh a tha ga riochdachadh sa Phàrlamaid (còig pàrtaidhean aig an àm seo). Tha clàr-gnothaich na Pàrlamaid ga mholadh le Biùro na Pàrlamaid air gluasad-gnothaich a chruthaicheas, aon uair is gu bheilear air aonta a chur ris, clàr-gnothaich leantainneach airson an ath chola-deug.

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Deasbadan Rè na bliadhna a chaidh seachad, bha Riaghaltas na h-Alba, fo stiùir Pàrtaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba (SNP), aig ceann dheasbadan air raon farsaing de chuspairean, agus nam measg bha:• seachnadh a bhith a’ fàgail An Aonaidh

Eòrpaich gun rèite• drogaichean is deoch làidir: bacadh is

lùghdachadh croin• Latha Cuimhneachaidh an Olocoist 2020 –

75mh cuimhneachan• buaidh a’ phoileasaidh in-imrich a tha san

amharc aig Riaghaltas na RA aguscuingealachadh siubhail air roinneanrannsachaidh oilthigh agus saidheans na h-Alba

• leasachadh taic do chiorram ann an Alba• Sgrùdadh na Buidhne airson Co-obrachadh

agus Leasachadh Eaconamach air a’churraicealam airson sàr-mhathais

• ag aithneachadh Alba anns an Roinn Eòrpa• Alba mar nàisean saidheans• cead telebhisein do dhaoine thar 75• nàisean malairtChaidh 17 leth-latha a shònrachadh airson deasbadan neo-riaghaltais anns an t-Seòmar sa bhliadhna phàrlamaidich seo.Bha deasbadan ann air raon chuspairean,a’ gabhail a-steach:• slàinte inntinn• maoineachadh sgoiltean-àraich (dàil air

inntrigeadh don bhun-sgoil)• neart lìonra aiseagan na h-Alba• binn prìosain fad-beatha

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DebatesIn the past year, the Scottish National Party-led Scottish Government led debates on a wide range of issues, including the following:• avoiding a no-deal exit from the

European Union• drugs and alcohol: preventing and

reducing harms• Holocaust Memorial Day 2020 –

75th anniversary• the impact of the UK Government’s planned

immigration policy and mobility restrictions onScotland’s university and scientific researchsectors

• improving disability assistance in Scotland• Organisation for Economic Co-operation

and Development review of curriculum forexcellence

• recognising Scotland in Europe• Scotland as a science nation• television licences for over-75s• a trading nationSeventeen half days have been allocated to debate non-government business in the Chamber during this parliamentary year. Debates on a range of topics took place, including the following: • mental health• nursery funding (deferred entry to primary

school)• the resilience of Scotland’s ferry network• whole-life custody sentences

Committee debatesCommittees can request debating time in the Chamber to bring issues to the attention of a wider audience. Committee debates this year have included:• business support• empty homes in Scotland• Glasgow School of Art fire

Deasbadan comataidh Faodaidh comataidhean ùine deasbaid iarraidh san t-Seòmar gus cùisean a thoirt gu aire luchd-èisteachd nas farsainge. Am measg dheasbadan comataidh am-bliadhna bha:• taic do ghnìomhchasan• dachaighean falamh ann an Alba• an teine aig Sgoil Ealain Ghlaschu

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Ministerial statementsMinisterial statements are an important part of the Parliament’s work and are made by the First Minister and her ministerial colleagues to inform the Parliament of urgent matters or to make announcements on policy. Ministerial statements have been made on a number of topics, including:• Citizens Assembly of Scotland• Covid-19 • the independent inquiry into mental health

services in Tayside • National Islands Plan• primary 1 standardised assessments• Scotland’s onshore unconventional oil and

gas policy • ScotRail franchise

Members’ business Members of the Scottish Parliament can, through members’ business debates, highlight issues of interest to them which might not otherwise be debated. These debates normally take place at each meeting of the Parliament and examples of such debates held during the past year include:• celebrating Scotland’s wetlands on World

Wetlands Day 2020 • Foster Care Fortnight 2019 • improving diagnosis of pre-eclampsia • the proposed centralisation of air traffic

control in the Highlands and Islands • protecting children and young people from

the marketing of health-harming products • right to full care to die at home• Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2020• smoking ban for play parks and outdoor

sports facilities• UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty

and Human Rights Report • World Day Against the Death Penalty

Time for reflection The first item of business in the Chamber each week is time for reflection, which gives people of different faiths and beliefs the chance to share their thoughts with the Parliament. Representatives from a range of religious groups and faiths, and individuals of no faith, who have taken part this year include:• Pastor Geoff Findlay, Lifegate Church

Dundee and Work Place Chaplaincy Scotland

• Reverend Aftab Gohar, Abbotsgrange Church, Grangemouth, and Wing Chaplain for the West Scotland Wing of the Air Training Corps

• Mr John Howieson, celebrant, Humanist Society Scotland, Isle of Skye

• Father Vincent Lockhart, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (Missio Scotland)

• Right Reverend Colin Sinclair, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

• Mr Stephen Stone, head teacher, St Roch’s Secondary School, Glasgow, and Vision Schools Scotland Programme

• Ms Linsay Taylor, Muslim Council of Scotland and Board of Interfaith Scotland

Àm Cnuasachaidh Is e Àm Cnuasachaidh a’ chiad ghnothach anns an t-Seòmar gach seachdain, agus bheir e cothrom do dhaoine le diofar chreideamhan is fheallsanachdan na beachdan aca a nochdadh don Phàrlamaid. Am measg riochdairean bhuidhnean creideimh agus daoine gun chreideamh idir, a tha air a bhith an sàs am-bliadhna, bha:• Pastor Geoff Findlay, Eaglais Lifegate Dhùn

Dè agus Caibealachd Àite Obrach Alba • An t-Urramach Aftab Gohar, Eaglais

Abbotsgrange, Inbhir Ghrainnse, agus Seaplain Sgèith airson Sgiath Taobh Siar na h-Alba den Bhuidheann Trèanaidh Adhair

• Mgr Iain Howieson, stiùiriche deas-ghnàth, Comann Daonnairean na h-Alba, An t-Eilean Sgitheanach

• An t-Athair Vincent Lockhart, Stiùiriche Nàiseanta nan Comann Misein Pàpach (Missio Scotland)

• Am Fìor Urramach Cailean Mac na Ceàrdaich, Modaràtor Àrd-sheanadh Eaglais na h-Alba

• Mgr Steaphan Stone, Ceannard Àrd-sgoil Naoimh Roch, Glaschu, agus Prògram Sgoiltean Lèirsinneach na h-Alba

• Ms Linsay Nic an Tàilleir, Comhairle Mhuslamach na h-Alba agus Bòrd Eadar-chreideimh na h-Alba

Aithrisean Ministreil Tha aithrisean le ministearan nam pàirt chudromach de dh’obair na Pàrlamaid agus bidh am Prìomh Mhinistear agus na ministearan aice a’ lìbhrigeadh aithrisean gus innse don Phàrlamaid mu chùisean èiginn no co-dhùnaidhean air poileasaidh. Chaidh aithrisean Mhinistearan a dhèanamh air grunn chuspairean, leithid:• Seanadh Saoranaich na h-Alba• Covid-19 • rannsachadh neo-eisimeileach air seirbheisean

slàinte inntinn ann an Taobh Tatha • Plana Nàiseanta nan Eilean• measaidhean coitcheann clas 1 sa bhun-sgoil• poileasaidh na h-Alba air ola is gas

neo-chumanta air tìr • ceadachas margaidheachd ScotRail

Gnothaichean Bhall Faodaidh Buill fa leth aire a thogail mu chùisean ’s a bheil ùidh aca, ach nach faigheadh ùine deasbaid ann an dòigh sam bith eile, tro dheasbadan ghnothaichean bhall. Bidh iad seo a’ tachairt, mar as tric, aig gach coinneamh den Phàrlamaid agus nam measg am-bliadhna bha:• a’ dèanamh gàirdeachas ri talamh fliuch na

h-Alba air Latha Talamh Fliuch an t-Saoghail • Cola-deug Cùraim-dalta 2019 • leasachadh diagnosachd air ro-eclampsia • moladh airson smachd trafaig adhair anns

a’ Ghàidhealtachd agus na h-Eileanan a mheadhanachadh

• dìon cloinne is dhaoine òga bho mhargaidheachd stuthan a nì cron air slàinte

• còir air làn chùram gus bàsachadh aig an taigh• Seachdain Preantasachd na h-Alba 2020• casg air smocadh ann am pàircean cluiche

agus goireasan spòrs a-muigh• Aithisg Rapporteur Sònraichte nan

Dùthchannan Aonaichte air Bochdainn is Còraichean Daonna

• Latha na Cruinne an-aghaidh Peanas a’ Bhàis

The Right Reverend Colin Sinclair leading time for reflection

Am Fìor Urramach Cailean Mac na Ceàrdaich an ceann an àm cnuasachaidh

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Parliamentary questions Parliamentary questions, whether written or oral, are used by MSPs as a means of seeking factual and statistical information from the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB). MSPs have weekly opportunities to ask oral questions of the First Minister and her ministerial colleagues, though the normal pattern of such sessions was affected by Covid-19.First Minister’s Questions (FMQs) normally take place on a Thursday and are selected by the Presiding Officer. Members also have an opportunity during FMQs to ask questions of a local or urgent nature. Topical Questions take place on a Tuesday and are also selected by the Presiding Officer. They provide members with an opportunity to ask questions of ministers on current issues that are of concern to their constituents.

Urgent questions are a means for MSPs to raise issues that are of immediate concern. For example, the Presiding Officer selected an urgent question in January 2020 on the timing of the UK Budget, given its impact on the Scottish Budget.Ministers are also questioned by MSPs at Portfolio Questions on Wednesdays and Thursdays and General Questions on Thursdays. Members are randomly selected in a ballot for both. Each ministerial portfolio is subject to questioning every three weeks.5,335 written questions were submitted by members in the last year. Each question receives a written answer from the Scottish Government or SPCB and is published on the Parliament’s website.

Ceistean pàrlamaideach Bidh BPA a’ cleachdadh cheistean pàrlamaideach, ann an labhairt no sgrìobhadh, airson fiosrachadh agus staitistearachd fhaighinn bho Riaghaltas na h-Alba no Buidheann Chorporra na Pàrlamaid (SPCB). Gheibh BPA cothrom gach seachdain ceistean fhaighneachd don Phrìomh Mhinistear agus na ministearan aice, anns an t-Seòmar, ged a thug Covid-19 buaidh air pàtran àbhaisteach nan seiseanan seo. Bidh Ceistean don Phrìomh Mhinistear (FMQs) a’ tachairt, mar as tric, gach Diardaoin agus ’s e an t-Oifigear Riaghlaidh a bhios a’ taghadh nan ceistean. Gheibh buill cothrom cuideachd aig an àm seo ceistean fhaighneachd air cùisean èiginn agus cùisean ionadail.

Bidh Ceistean Tràthail a’ tachairt gach Dimàirt agus tha iad cuideachd air an taghadh leis an Oifigear Riaghlaidh. Bheir iad cothrom do bhuill ceistean a chur air ministearan air cùisean tràthail a bhuineas do mhuinntir na sgìre aca. Bidh Ministearan cuideachd gan ceasnachadh le BPA aig Ceistean Portfolio gach Diciadain is Diardaoin agus Ceistean Coitcheann air Diardaoin. Bidh buill gan taghadh le baileat airson na dhà. Thèid gach portfolio ministreil a cheasnachadh gach trì seachdainean.Chaidh 5,335 ceistean sgrìobhte a chur a-steach le buill rè na bliadhna. Gheibh gach ceist freagairt sgrìobhte bho Riaghaltas na h-Alba no bhon SPCB agus thèid fhoillseachadh air làrach-lìn na Pàrlamaid.

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Gluasadan Bidh BPA a’ cleachdadh ghluasadan pàrlamaideach air caochladh adhbharan – gus aire a thogail mu cheist no tachartas, gus taic a chur ri cùis air choireigin, gus urram a nochdadh no meal-an-naidheachd a thoirt seachad, no gus deasbad air cuspair a bhrosnachadh. Faodaidh Buill eile taic fhoirmeil a thoirt do na gluasadan seo. Ged nach eil dùil ri deasbad air an fhìor mhòr-chuid de na gluasadan, tha ri cuid, a’ gabhail a-steach gluasadan ann an deasbadan ghnothaichean bhall, deasbadan Riaghaltais agus deasbadan phàrtaidhean eile agus na bhuineas do reachdas. Faodaidh ball sam bith atharrachadh-gluasaid a mholadh, ge b’ e a bheil e ri dheasbad no nach eil. Bha na gluasadan a chaidh a chur a-steach rè na bliadhna air raon farsaing de chuspairean, leithid:• 1,000 rothair do fhògarraich• Teintean sgaoilte Astràilia• Seachdain Aire air Call Bèibidh 2019• deuchainn airson droga innleachdach,

ùr MND • Luchd-obrach saor-thoileach Samaritans Alba

4,495motions and amendments were lodged.

Motions MSPs use parliamentary motions for a number of purposes – to highlight an issue or event, to generate support for a cause, to acknowledge or congratulate an achievement or to stimulate debate on a subject. Other members can support these motions.While the vast majority of motions are not intended for debate, a number are, including motions for members’ business debates, government and other party debates, and in relation to legislation. Motions, whether for debate or not, can be amended by any member. Motions lodged during the last year and not intended for debate were on a broad range of subjects, including: • 1,000 bikes for refugees• Australia’s wildfires• Baby Loss Awareness Week 2019• new groundbreaking MND drug trial• Samaritans Scotland’s volunteers

gluasad is atharrachadh air an cur a-steach.

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Lobbying Register Scotland’s Lobbying Register, administered by the Scottish Parliament’s Lobbying Register team, came into operation on 12 March 2018 and has now been active for more than two years. The Lobbying Register legally requires any eligible organisation engaging in face-to-face lobbying of MSPs or the Scottish Government’s ministers, special advisers or permanent secretary to register and then provide information returns about any lobbying undertaken. At the two-year mark of 12 March 2020, almost 1,200 organisations had registered, resulting in more than 11,000 information returns. Details of all the organisations registered and information returns published can be viewed on the Lobbying Register at www.lobbying.scot.The team provides advice and support to organisations online, by telephone and in one-to-one meetings. The team’s outreach activities also include running workshops and attending external events and exhibitions to help organisations with their requirements in person. Workshops this year included an external session in Aberdeen for the first time.The Scottish Parliament is also required to carry out a review and produce a report on the operation of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016, once the Lobbying Register has been running for two years. This review is being undertaken by the Scottish Parliament’s Public Audit and Post-legislative Scrutiny Committee.

Clàr-coiteachaidh Thàinig Clàr Coiteachaidh na h-Alba, ga ruith le Sgioba Clàr Coiteachaidh Pàrlamaid na h-Alba, an èifeachd air 12 Màrt 2018, agus tha e a-nis air a bhith ag obair airson dà bhliadhna. Tha an Clàr Coiteachaidh a’ cur dleastanas reachdail air buidheann sam bith a nì coiteachadh aghaidh-ri-aghaidh air BPA, ministearan Riaghaltas na h-Alba, comhairlichean speisealta no an rùnaire seasmhach an coiteachadh a chlàradh agus fiosrachadh mu dheidhinn a thoirt seachad. Nuair a ràinig e an dàrna ceann-bliadhna air 12 Màrt 2020, bha faisg air 1,200 buidheann air clàradh, agus mar thoradh air sin thill còrr air 11,000 fios. Faodar fiosrachadh mu na buidhnean uile a tha clàraichte agus am fios a chaidh fhoillseachadh fhaicinn anns a’ Chlàr Choiteachaidh aig www.lobbying.scot.Bidh an sgioba a’ toirt comhairle agus taic do bhuidhnean air-loidhne, air a’ fòn agus ann an coinneamhan aon-ri-aon. Bidh gnìomhan for-ruigheachd na sgioba cuideachd a’ toirt a-steach a bhith a’ ruith bhùthan-obrach agus a’ frithealadh thachartasan is thaisbeanaidhean a-muigh gus buidhnean a chuideachadh leis na riatanasan aca gu pearsanta. Am measg nam bùthan-obrach am-bliadhna bha seisean ann an Obar Dheathain airson a’ chiad uair.Feumaidh Pàrlamaid na h-Alba ath-bhreithneachadh a dhèanamh agus aithisg a thoirt a-mach mu obrachadh na h-Achd Coiteachaidh (Alba) 2016, aon uair ’s gu bheil an Clàr Coiteachaidh air a bhith a’ ruith airson dà bhliadhna. Tha an t-ath-bhreithneachadh seo ga dhèanamh le Comataidh Sgrùdadh Poblach is Sgrùdadh Iar-reachdais Phàrlamaid na h-Alba.

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Government bill Bile Riaghaltais

Member’s bill Bile Buill

Private bill Bile Prìobhaideach

Act Achd

Budget (Scotland) Act 2020Bile Buidseit (Alba) 2020

06.02.20

18.03.20

Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019

Achd Aois Uallach Eucoir (Alba) 2019

13.03.18

11.06.19

Census (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2019

Achd Cunntais-sluaigh (Atharrachadh) (Alba) 2019

02.10.18

18.07.19

Agriculture (Retained EU Law and Data) (Scotland) Bill

Bile Àiteachais (Lagh is Dàta AE glèidhte) (Alba)

06.11.19

Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill

Bile Ainmhidhean is Fiadh-bheathaichean (Peanasan, Dìon agus Cumhachdan) (Alba)

30.09.19Children (Equal Protection from

Assault) (Scotland) Act 2019 Achd na Cloinne (Dìon Co-ionann

bho Ionnsaigh) (Alba) 2019

06.09.18

07.11.19

Children (Scotland) Bill Bile na Cloinne (Alba)

02.09.19

Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill Bile Com-pàirteachas Catharra (Alba)

30.09.19

Reachdas Faodaidh dreachd laghan (is e bilean a th’ orra fhad ’s a tha a’ Phàrlamaid a’ beachdachadh orra) a bhith grunn mhìosan air an t-slighe tro na trì ìrean sa Phàrlamaid. Nuair a thathas air gabhail ri bile, bidh e a’ toirt mu mhìos mus faigh e Aonta Rìoghail airson a dhol na Achd Phàrlamaid na h-Alba.Eadar 12 Cèitean 2019 agus 11 Cèitean 2020:• chaidh 26 bilean a toirt a-steach sa

Phàrlamaid. B’ e Riaghaltas na h-Alba – mar as àbhaist – a thug a-steach a’ mhòr-chuid de bhilean. Thugadh a-steach cuideachd còig bilean buill agus aon bhile prìobhaideach.

• thuit aon bhile, a chaidh a thoirt a-steach sa bhliadhna phàrlamaideach roimhe, nuair nach tug a’ Phàrlamaid aonta do phrionnsapalan coitcheann a’ Bhile Rathaidean Cuingealaichte (Casg-astair 20 msu) (Alba) air 13 Ògmhios 2019.

• Chaidh aon bhile - Bile Clann is Òigridh (Co-roinn Fiosrachaidh) (Alba) a tharraing air ais air 19 Sultain 2019.

• chaidh aonta a thoirt do 19 bilean.• fhuair 22 bilean Aonta Rìoghail. Gheibhear fiosrachadh air na pròiseasan airson beachdachadh air diofar seòrsa bile air duilleagan-lìn Bhilean na Pàrlamaid.Tha liosta nam bilean is achdan ann an òrdugh na h-aibidil anns a’ Bheurla. Air gach panail, tha an latha a chaidh an toirt a-steach sgrìobhte aig a’ mhullach air an taobh chlì agus latha Aonta Rìoghail (ma tha sin ann) air an taobh dheas.

LegislationDraft laws (known as bills while they are being considered by the Parliament) can take several months to complete their three-stage progress through the Parliament. When a bill is passed, it normally takes around one month for it to receive Royal Assent and to then become an act of the Scottish Parliament. Between 12 May 2019 and 11 May 2020:• 26 bills were introduced in the Parliament.

Most of these bills – as in most years – were introduced by the Scottish Government. Five members’ bills and one private bill were also introduced.

• one bill, which had been introduced in the previous parliamentary year, fell when the Parliament did not approve the general principles of the Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Scotland) Bill on 13 June 2019.

• one bill – the Children and Young People (Information Sharing) (Scotland) Bill – was withdrawn on 19 September 2019.

• 19 bills were passed. • 22 bills received Royal Assent.Information on the procedures for considering different types of bill can be found on the Parliament’s Bills webpages. Bills and acts are listed in alphabetical order. On each panel, the date of introduction is noted top left and the date of Royal Assent (where relevant) is on the right.

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22

Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019

Achd Atharrachadh Gnàth-thìde (Targaidean Lùghdachadh Sgaoilidhean) (Alba) 2019

23.05.18

31.10.19 Fuel Poverty (Target, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Act 2019

Achd Bochdainn Connaidh (Targaid, Mìneachadh agus Ro-innleachd)

(Alba) 2019

26.06.18

18.07.19Consumer Scotland Bill Bile Luchd-ceannaich Alba

05.06.19

Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) BillAchd Corònabhìorais (Alba) Àir 2

11.05.20

Disclosure (Scotland) Bill Bile Nochdadh Fiosrachaidh (Alba)

12.06.19

Heat Networks (Scotland) Bill Bile Lìonraidhean Teas (Alba)

02.03.20

Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 Achd Corònabhìorais (Alba) 2020

31.03.20

06.04.20

Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Bill

Bile Milleadh-cliù agus Foillseachadh Droch-rùnach (Alba)

02.12.19

Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill

Bile Eucoir is Òrdugh Poblach (Alba)

23.04.20

Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) (Scotland) Bill

Bile Seirbheisean Meidigeach Foireansach (Luchd-fulaing

Eucoirean Feise) (Alba)

26.11.19

Female Genital Mutilation (Protection and Guidance) (Scotland) Act 2020 Achd Milleadh Buill-ghineamhainn Boireann (Dìon agus Stiùireadh)

(Alba) 2020

29.05.19

24.04.20

Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019

Achd Slàinte is Cùraim (Luchd-obrach) (Alba) 2019

23.05.18

06.06.19

Human Tissue (Authorisation) (Scotland) Act 2019

Achd Maothran Daonna (Ùghdarrachadh) (Alba) 2019

08.06.18

18.07.19

Hutchesons’ Hospital Transfer and Dissolution (Scotland) Act 2019

Achd Tar-ghluasad is Sgaoileadh Ospadal Hutcheson (Alba) 2019

25.06.18

31.05.19

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European Charter of Local Self-Government (Incorporation)

(Scotland) Bill Bile Cairt Eòrpaich Fèin-riaghladh

Ionadail (Corporrachd) (Alba)

05.05.20

Liability for NHS Charges (Treatment of Industrial Disease) (Scotland) Bill Bile Buailteachd airson Cosgaisean

NHS (Leigheas Galaran Gnìomhachais) (Alba)

09.03.20

Referendums (Scotland) Act 2020Achd Reifreannan (Alba) 2020

28.05.19

29.01.20

South of Scotland Enterprise Act 2019Achd Iomairt Cheann a Deas

na h-Alba 2019

24.10.18

12.07.19

Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Act 2020

Achd Coimiseanair Bith-meatrachd na h-Alba 2020

30.05.19

20.04.20

Planning (Scotland) Act 2019Achd Dealbhaidh (Alba) 2019

04.12.17

25.07.19

Management of Offenders (Scotland) Act 2019

Achd Riaghladh Eucoireach (Alba) 2019

22.02.18

30.07.19

Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020

Achd Reataichean Neo-dhachaigheil (Alba) 2020

25.03.19

11.03.20

Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Act 2020

Achd Taghaidhean na h-Alba (Còir-bhòtaidh agus Riochdachadh) 2020

20.06.19

01.04.20

UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Act 2020

Achd Farpais Eòrpach UEFA (Alba) 2020

24.09.19

23.01.20

Scottish Elections (Reform) Bill Bile Taghaidhean na h-Alba

(Ath-leasachadh)

02.09.19

Social Security Administration and Tribunal Membership (Scotland) Bill

Bile Rianachd Tèarainteachd Shòisealta agus Ballrachd

Tribiunail (Alba)

27.04.20

Travelling Funfairs (Licensing) (Scotland) Bill

Bile Fhèilltean Siubhail (Ceadachadh) (Alba)

29.04.20

Solicitors in the Supreme Courts of Scotland (Amendment) Bill Bile Shoilisitearan ann am Prìomh-chùirtean na Alba

(Atharrachadh)

26.09.19

Transport (Scotland) Act 2019Achd Còmhdhail (Alba) 2019

08.06.18

15.11.19

Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services)

(Scotland) Bill Bile Dìon Luchd-obrach (Reic agus

Bathar agus Seirbheisean Cuingichte le Aois) (Alba)

10.10.19

Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill Bile Taighean-seinnse Ceangailte (Alba)

03.02.20

Vulnerable Witnesses (Criminal Evidence) (Scotland) Act 2019

Achd Fianaisean So-leònte (Fianais Eucorach) (Alba) 2019

12.06.18

13.06.19

Scottish National Investment Bank Act 2020

Achd Banca Tasgaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba 2020

27.02.19

25.02.20

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The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate BodyThe Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) considers and makes decisions on a wide range of issues relating to the support of MSPs and the work of the Parliament. It is made up of five members, elected to the role by the Parliament, plus the Presiding Officer, who is the chair. At the time of publishing this report, the primary focus for the SPCB is the safety and wellbeing of its staff and all those supporting essential parliamentary business and services both at Holyrood and in local offices during the extreme and extraordinary circumstances of the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic. Other matters considered by the SPCB this year include:• the appointment of David McGill as the

new Clerk/Chief Executive of the Scottish Parliament

• inclusion of MSPs as prescribed persons for the purposes of whistleblowing legislation

• provision of evidence to the Finance and Constitution Committee in relation to the Referendums (Scotland) Bill

• review of the Members’ Expenses Scheme• ongoing consideration of security

arrangements, including roll-out of two-factor authentication

• approval of the Parliament’s diversity pay gap and diversity monitoring reports for 2019

Buidheann Chorporra Pàrlamaid na h-Alba Bidh Buidheann Chorporra Pàrlamaid na h-Alba (SPCB) a’ beachdachadh is a’ co-dhùnadh air raon farsaing de chùisean a bhuineas ri taic a thoirt do BPA agus obair na Pàrlamaid. Tha i air a dhèanamh suas de chòig buill, air an taghadh don dreuchd leis a’ Phàrlamaid, agus cuideachd an t-Oifigear Riaghlaidh, a tha na chathraiche.Aig àm foillseachaidh na h-aithisge seo, is e prìomh fhòcas an SPCB sàbhailteachd agus sunnd a luchd-obrach agus iadsan uile a tha a’ toirt taic do ghnothaichean agus seirbheisean pàrlamaideach riatanach an dà chuid aig Taigh an Ròid agus ann an oifisean ionadail rè an t-suidheachadh èiginn gun samhail a dh’adhbharaich galar mòr-sgaoilte Covid-19.Am measg chùisean eile air an do bheachdaich an SPCB am-bliadhna bha:• Dàibhidh McGill a chur an dreuchd mar

Chlàrc/Ceannard ùr Phàrlamaid na h-Alba• toirt a-steach BPA mar dhaoine òrdaichte air

adhbharan reachdas innseireachd• toirt fianais don Chomataidh Ionmhais is

Bun-reachd a thaobh Bile nan Reifreannan (Alba)

• ath-sgrùdadh air Sgeama Cosgaisean nam Ball

• beachdachadh leantainneach air rèiteachaidhean tèarainteachd, a’ toirt a-steach dearbhadh dà-fhactair a sgaoileadh

• aontachadh ri aithisgean na Pàrlamaid air a’ bheàrn pàighidh iomadachd agus dearcnachadh air iomadachd airson 2019

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CommitteesComataidheanEngagement with the people of Scotland is at the heart of everything the Parliament does. Committees engage with a wide range of people and organisations to inform their work in areas such as scrutiny of bills and carrying out inquiries, and they have continued to develop engagement techniques this year through the use of digital tools and other methods.Committees are committed to increasing the diversity of those they hear from. This year, the Equalities and Human Rights Committee scrutinised committees’ witness diversity figures, which resulted in committees incorporating witness diversity guidance into their practices and considering other actions to help encourage the diversity of witnesses.Other inquiry and bill scrutiny work carried out by committees this year includes: • construction and procurement of ferries in

Scotland• improvements in prisons and in mental health

care and support for young prisoners or those in secure care

• mental health support for young people in Scotland

• primary care for the next generation• scrutiny of the Climate Change (Emissions

Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill, which sets targets to reduce Scotland’s emissions of greenhouse gases to net zero by 2045 at the latest

• scrutiny of the Scottish National Investment Bank Bill, which led to changes to the process by which the Bank’s missions will be set

• subject choices in secondary schools

Tha com-pàirteachadh le muinntir na h-Alba aig cridhe a h-uile rud a bhios a’ Phàrlamaid a’ dèanamh. Bidh comataidhean a’ com-pàirteachadh le raon farsaing de dhaoine agus bhuidhnean gus fiosrachadh a thoirt don obair aca ann an raointean leithid sgrùdadh bhilean agus dèanamh rannsachaidhean, agus tha iad air leantainn orra a’ leasachadh dhòighean com-pàirteachaidh am-bliadhna tro bhith a’ cleachdadh innealan didseatach agus dòighean eile. Tha comataidhean dealasach gus iomadachd nan daoine a chluinneas iad a mheudachadh. Am-bliadhna, rinn a’ Chomataidh Co-ionannachd is Còraichean Daonna sgrùdadh air figearan iomadachd chomataidhean, a thug gu buil comataidhean a’ toirt a-steach stiùireadh iomadachd luchd-fianais do na cleachdaidhean aca agus beachdachadh air gnìomhan eile gus cuideachadh le bhith a’ brosnachadh iomadachd luchd-fianais.Am measg obair rannsachaidh is sgrùdadh bhilean eile a rinn comataidhean am-bliadhna tha:• togail agus solar aiseagan ann an Alba• leasachaidhean ann am prìosanan agus ann an

cùram slàinte inntinn agus taic do phrìosanaich òga no dhaibhsan a tha fo chùram tèarainte

• taic slàinte inntinn do dhaoine òga ann an Alba• bun-chùram airson an ath ghinealaich• sgrùdadh air Bile Atharrachadh Gnàth-thìde

(Targaidean Lùghdachadh Sgaoilidhean) (Alba), a tha a’ suidheachadh thargaidean gus sgaoilidhean ghasaichean teasachadh cruinne na h-Alba a lùghdachadh gu neoni ann an 2045 aig a’ char as fhaide.

• sgrùdadh air Bile Banca Tasgaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba, a lean gu atharrachaidhean anns a’ phròiseas leis am bi amasan a’ Bhanca air an suidheachadh

• roghainnean cuspair ann an àrd-sgoiltean

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Leethen Bartholomew, head of the National FGM Centre, giving evidence to the Equalities and Human Rights Committee

Leethen Bartholomew, ceannard Ionad Nàiseanta FGM, a’ toirt fianais don Chomataidh Co-ionannachd agus Còraichean Daonna

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Brexit has again featured prominently in the committees’ workload. As well as conducting inquiries into how Brexit will affect specific policy areas, committees have scrutinised Brexit-related legislative consent memorandums (LCMs). LCMs are brought forward when there are UK Government bills that propose to change the law on a devolved matter. They have also scrutinised around 30 proposals by the Scottish Government to consent to Brexit-related changes being dealt with through 41 UK statutory instruments. In addition, committees have considered 20 Scottish statutory instruments relating to Brexit.During this year, the Parliament established the Solicitors in the Supreme Courts of Scotland (Amendment) Bill Committee to consider the private bill of the title. In response to the Covid-19 outbreak, it also established the Covid-19 Committee, which will consider and report on the Scottish Government’s response to the pandemic.Nineteen committees and sub-committees remained active on 11 May 2020.

Tha Brexit a-rithist air nochdadh gu mòr ann an eallach obrach nan comataidhean. A bharrachd air a bhith a’ dèanamh rannsachaidhean air mar a bheir Brexit buaidh air raointean poileasaidh sònraichte, tha comataidhean air meòrachain cead reachdail (LCMan) co-cheangailte ri Brexit a sgrùdadh. Tha LCMan air an toirt air adhart nuair a tha Bile ann am pàrlamaid na RA a’ moladh an lagh atharrachadh air cùis tiomnaichte. Tha iad cuideachd air sgrùdadh a dhèanamh air timcheall air 30 moladh le Riaghaltas na h-Alba gus cead a thoirt do atharrachaidhean co-cheangailte ri Brexit a bhith air an làimhseachadh tro 41 ionnstramaid reachdail san RA. A bharrachd air sin, tha comataidhean air beachdachadh air 20 ionnstramaid reachdail ann an Alba co-cheangailte ri Brexit.Tron bhliadhna seo, stèidhich a’ Phàrlamaid Comataidh Bile Shoilisitearan ann am Prìomh-chùirtean na h-Alba (Atharrachadh) gus beachdachadh air a’ bhile phrìobhaideach sin. Mar fhreagairt ri èiginn Covid-19, stèidhich iad Comataidh Covid-19 cuideachd, a bheachdaicheas agus a nì aithisg air freagairt Riaghaltas na h-Alba ris a’ ghalar sgaoilte.Bha naoi comataidhean deug agus fo-chomataidhean fhathast gnìomhach air 11 Cèitean 2020.

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Moi Ali, a former Judicial Complaints Reviewer, giving evidence to the Justice Committee

Moi Ali, seann Neach-sgrùdaidh Ghearanan mu Bhritheamhan, a’ toirt fianais don Chomataidh Ceartais

Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs

CommitteeComataidh Cultar,

Turasachd, Eòrpach is Dàimhean Taobh a-muigh

Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee

Comataidh Cumhachdan Tiomnaichte is

Ath-leasachadh Lagha

Committee on the Scottish Government

Handling of Harassment ComplaintsComataidh

Làimhseachadh Riaghaltas na h-Alba air Gearainean Sàrachaidh

Covid-19 Committee Comataidh Covid-19

Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee

Comataidh Eaconamaidh, Lùth is Obair Chothromach

Education and Skills Committee

Comataidh Foghlaim is Sgilean

Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee

Comataidh Àrainneachd Atharrachadh Clìomaid is Ath-leasachaidh Fearainn

Equalities and Human Rights Committee

Comataidh Co-ionnanachd agus Còraichean Daonna

Finance and Constitution Committee

Comataidh Ionmhais agus Bun-reachd

Health and Sport Committee

Comataidh Slàinte is Spòrs

Justice CommitteeComataidh a’ Cheartais

Justice Sub-Committee on Policing

Fo-chomataidh a’ Cheartais air Obair Phoilis

Local Government and Communities Committee

Comataidh Riaghaltas Ionadail is Coimhearsnachdan

Public Audit and Post-legislative Scrutiny

CommitteeComataidh Sgrùdadh

Poblach agus Iar-reachdail

Public Petitions Committee

Comataidh nan Athchuingean Poblach

Rural Economy and Connectivity CommitteeComataidh Eaconomaidh

Dùthchail is Co-cheangailteachd

Social Security CommitteeComataidh

Tèarainteachd Shòisealta

Solicitors in the Supreme Courts of Scotland (Amendment) Bill

Committee Comataidh Bile

Shoilisitearan ann am Prìomh-chùirtean na Alba

(Atharrachadh)

Standards, Procedures and Public

Appointments Committee

Comataidh Inbhean, Dòighean-obrach is

Cur-an-dreuchd Poblach

Com-pàirteachadh eadar-nàiseanta

International engagement

It has been a busy, productive and enjoyable year for the Parliament internationally, with more than 60 inward and 20 outward engagements.The Presiding Officers met eight speakers/presidents, nine ambassadors, 11 consuls general, and a variety of parliamentary and international delegations from countries such as Germany, Canada, Belgium, Norway, the Republic of Ireland and Iceland. In January 2020, the Presiding Officer met with François Paradis MNA, President of the National Assembly of Québec, to discuss parliamentary reform, business planning and public engagement. Also in January 2020, a senior Nordic Council delegation visited Holyrood to discuss strengthening languages, biodiversity, the post-Brexit landscape and the opportunity for future collaboration on shared policy interests.

Tha a’ bhliadhna air a bhith trang, tarbhach agus tlachdmhor don Phàrlamaid gu h-eadar-nàiseanta, le còrr is 60 tachartas a-staigh agus 20 a-muigh.Choinnich na h-Oifigearan Riaghlaidh ri ochdnar luchd-labhairt/cinn-suidhe, naoi tosgairean, 11 àrd-chonsal, agus diofar bhuidhnean riochdachaidh pàrlamaideach is eadar-nàiseanta bho dhùthchannan leithid na Gearmailt, Canada, a’ Bheilg, Nirribhidh, Poblachd na h-Èireann agus Innis Tìle.Anns an Fhaoilleach 2020, choinnich an t-Oifigear Riaghlaidh ri François Paradis MNA, Ceann-suidhe Sheanadh Nàiseanta Québec, gus beachdachadh air ath-leasachadh pàrlamaideach, dealbhadh gnothaich agus com-pàirteachadh poblach. Cuideachd san Fhaoilleach 2020, thadhail àrd-bhuidheann-riochdachaidh na Comhairle Nòrdaich air Taigh an Ròid gus beachdachadh air neartachadh chànanan, bith-iomadachd, an suidheachadh às dèidh Brexit agus an cothrom airson co-obrachadh san àm ri teachd air ùidhean poileasaidh co-roinnte.

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Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Ken Macintosh MSP, met with Ilse Aigner MdL, President of the Bavarian State Parliament.

Choinnich an t-Oifigear Riaghlaidh, an Fìor Urr Ken Mac an Tòisich BPA ri Ilse Aigner MdL, Ceann-suidhe Pàrlamaid Stàit Bhabhària.

The International Relations Office supported outward visits to Germany, Iceland, Belgium and Sweden. An overarching theme to these visits was interparliamentary co-operation and relationship building around sharing knowledge, experience and skills on key policy issues and corporate and procedural aspects of how parliaments work.Gordon Lindhurst MSP, convener of the Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee, Clare Adamson MSP, convener of the Education and Skills Committee, and the Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Ken Macintosh MSP, visited the State Parliament of Lower Saxony in June 2019, as a follow up to the visit from their president in January 2019.In October 2019, Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee convener, Gillian Martin MSP, and deputy convener, Finlay Carson MSP, built on the previous year’s attendance at the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavík by hosting a session entitled ‘A Scottish Perspective on Climate Change, Climate Justice and Human Rights’.The 58th and 59th British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly plenary sessions took place in County Wicklow and Warwickshire respectively, with Deputy Presiding Officer Linda Fabiani MSP, John Scott MSP, Pauline McNeill MSP and Ross Greer MSP taking part in discussions on Brexit and climate change.

Thug an Oifis Dàimh Eadar-nàiseanta taic do thursan don Ghearmailt, Innis Tìle, a’ Bheilg agus an t-Suain. B’ e prìomh chuspair nan tursan sin co-obrachadh eadar-phàrlamaideach agus togail dhàimhean tro bhith a’ roinn eòlas, cleachdadh agus sgilean air prìomh chùisean poileasaidh agus taobhan corporra agus modha de mar a bhios pàrlamaidean ag obair.Thadhail Gòrdan Lindhurst BPA, neach-gairm na Comataidh Eaconamaidh, Cumhachd agus Obair Cothromach, Clare Adamson BPA, neach-gairm na Comataidh Foghlaim is Sgilean, agus an t-Oifigear Riaghlaidh, am Fìor Urr Ken Mac an Tòisich BPA, air Pàrlamaid Stàite Saxony Iarach san Ògmhios 2019, agus iad a’ leantainn air an turas bhon cheann-suidhe aca san Fhaoilleach 2019.Anns an Dàmhair 2019, thog neach-gairm na Comataidh Àrainneachd, Atharrachadh Gnàth-thìde agus Ath-leasachadh Fearainn, Gillian Mhàrtainn BPA, agus an leas-neach-gairm, Finlay Carson BPA, air turas na bliadhna roimhe do Sheanadh Cearcall na h-Artaig ann an Reykjavík le bhith a’ toirt aoigheachd don t-seisean ‘Sealladh Albannach air Atharrachadh Gnàth-thìde, Ceartas Gnàth-thìde agus Còraichean Daonna’.Thachair na 58mh agus 59mh làn-sheiseanan de Sheanadh Pàrlamaideach Bhreatainn-Èirinn ann an Contae Chill Mhantáin (Co. Wicklow) agus Warwickshire, leis an Leas-oifigear Riaghlaidh Linda Fabiani BPA, Iain Scott BPA, Pauline NicNèill BPA agus Ross Greer BPA a’ gabhail pàirt ann an còmhraidhean mu Bhrexit agus atharrachadh gnàth-thìde.

Ghabh Meur na h-Alba de Chomann Pàrlamaideach a’ Cho-fhlaitheis (CPA) pàirt a-rithist ann an grunn thachartasan CPA, nam measg aoigheachd do Chomataidh Stiùiridh Luchd-pàrlamaid Boireann a’ Cho-fhlaitheis san Dùbhlachd 2019. Chaidh a’ choinneamh seo a leantainn le deasbad mu “gun fhalangas sam bith” ri sàrachadh feise, agus iomadachd am measg thagraichean boireann.Coltach ri raointean eile de ghnìomhachd na Pàrlamaid, dh’atharraich com-pàirteachadh eadar-nàiseanta a rèir suidheachadh a’ ghalair lèir-sgaoilte. Ged a sguir tadhal a-staigh agus a-muigh, chùm an t-Oifigear Riaghlaidh còmhraidhean bhidio mu fhreagairt na pàrlamaid ri suidheachadh Covid-19, com-pàirteachadh/coinneamhan iomallach, agus bhòtadh iomallach/ bhòtadh-ionaid, le:• Ilse Aigner MdL, Ceann-suidhe Phàrlamaid

Stàite Bhabhàiria• An Dr Gabriele Andretta MdL, Ceann-suidhe

Pàrlamaid Stàite Saxony Iarach• François Paradis MNA, Ceann-suidhe

Sheanadh Nàiseanta Quebec• Steingrímur J Sigfússon BP, Neach-

labhairt Phàrlamaid Innis Tìle, agus Silja Dögg Gunnarsdóttir BP, Ceann-suidhe na Comhairle Nòrdaich

The Scotland Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) again participated in a variety of CPA engagements, including hosting a regional Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Steering Committee in December 2019. This meeting was followed by a discussion on zero tolerance towards sexual harassment, and diversity amongst female candidates. Like other areas of the Parliament’s activities, international engagement adapted to the circumstances created by the pandemic. While inward and outward visits ceased, the Presiding Officer held video discussions on the parliamentary response to the Covid-19 situation, remote participation/meetings, and remote/proxy voting with:• Ilse Aigner MdL, President of the Bavarian

State Parliament• Dr Gabriele Andretta MdL, President of the

State Parliament of Lower Saxony• François Paradis MNA, President of the

National Assembly of Québec• Steingrímur J Sigfússon MP, Speaker of

the Icelandic Parliament, and Silja Dögg Gunnarsdóttir MP, President of the Nordic Council

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Deputy Presiding Officer Linda Fabiani MSP met with the Ambassador of Norway,HE Mr Wegger Chr. Strømmen.

Choinnich an Leas-oifigear Riaghlaidh Linda Fabiani BPA ri Tosgaire Nirribhidh,HE Mr Wegger Chr. Strømmen.

Deputy Presiding Officer Christine Grahame MSP and Public Petitions Committee convener Johann Lamont MSP visited the Flemish Parliament and the Belgian Chamber of Representatives.

Thadhail an Leas-oifigear Riaghlaidh Cairistìona Ghreumach BPA agus Neach-gairm Comataidh nan Athchuingean Poblach Johann NicLaomainn BPA air Pàrlamaid Fhlannrais agus Seòmar Riochdairean na Beilge.

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Tha a bhith ruigsinneach do mhuinntir na h-Alba agus a bhith a’ brosnachadh an com-pàirt fhathast nan àrd phrìomhachasan aig Pàrlamaid na h-Alba.Mus deach stad a chur air com-pàirt aghaidh-ri-aghaidh sa Mhàrt 2020 mar thoradh air Covid-19, leudaich prògraman agus innleachdan cothroman do dhaoine faighinn a-mach mun Phàrlamaid aca agus na beachdan aca a nochdadh gu pearsanta.Mar phàirt de phrògram cuimhneachaidh 20 bliadhna na Pàrlamaid ann an 2019, thuirt an t-Oifigear Riaghlaidh gu robh e an dùil tadhal air a h-uile roinn de dh’Alba. B’ e an t-amas aige ath-dhearbhadh a dhèanamh air cho cudromach ’s a tha com-pàirteachadh Thaigh an Ròid le coimhearsnachdan ionadail, a’ neartachadh na dàimh le muinntir na h-Alba agus a’ cruthachadh àrainneachd san urrainn dhaibh a dhol an sàs gu gnìomhach agus na guthan aca a thogail. Thadhail iad air sgìrean-taghaidh Glaschu Cnoc Màiri, Glaschu Allt an Fhuarain agus An t-Eilean Sgitheanach, Loch Abar agus Bàideanach far an robh an t-Oifigear Riaghlaidh na chathraiche air còmhraidhean panail mu shlàinte inntinn, agus taigheadas aig prìs ruigsinneach. Gu mì-fhortanach, b’ fheudar dàil a chur ann an sia tursan eile a bha san amharc, mar thoradh air taghadh Phàrlamaid na RA agus, nas fhaide air adhart, èiginn Covid-19.

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Engagement with the public

Being accessible to the people of Scotland and encouraging their involvement remain key priorities for the Scottish Parliament. Before face-to-face engagement was suspended in March 2020 in light of Covid-19, programmes and innovations expanded opportunities for people to find out about their Parliament and make their views known in person.As part of the Parliament’s 20th anniversary programme in 2019, the Presiding Officer announced that he intended to visit every region in Scotland. His goal was to reaffirm the importance of Holyrood’s engagement with local communities, strengthening the relationship with the people of Scotland and creating an environment in which they can actively engage and make their voices heard. Visits took place to the Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn and the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituencies, where the Presiding Officer chaired panel discussions on mental health and affordable housing. Six further planned visits regrettably had to be postponed, due to the UK Parliament election and, later, the Covid-19 outbreak.

Com-pàirteachadh leis a’ phoball

Pupils from St Constantine’s Primary School, Govan, perform to mark International Women’s Day 2020.Sgoilearan bho Bhun-sgoil Naoimh Chonstantine, Baile Ghobhainn ri ceòl gus Latha Eadar-nàiseanta nam Ban 2020 a chomharrachadh.

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A key element of the Parliament’s work is broadening the range of those who are able to access information about it. Before being suspended in March 2020 when schools closed, the Scottish Parliament’s education programmes delivered services to around 22,000 pupils at Holyrood and in classrooms across Scotland. The programmes’ aim is to inform the next generation about their Parliament and inspire them to contribute their thoughts and experiences. This year’s events included:• curriculum-based special events, including

the popular ‘Language in the Parliament’ sessions and a new ‘Media Studies in the Parliament’ session, which helps pupils to understand the skills of our Broadcasting services

• the Modern Studies Association conference in November 2019, at which more than 150 teachers exchanged ideas to further their teaching practices. Key themes included the 20th anniversary of devolved governance in Scotland, and social media’s role in young people’s lives.

In addition, all educators, pupils and the wider public have had access to the extended range of online and print resources produced this year. As part of its commitment to breaking down language barriers, the Parliament has been implementing its British Sign Language (BSL) Plan, which seeks to integrate BSL into the fabric of its work. A BSL Development Officer has been appointed. Live BSL interpreting is now provided for all sessions of FMQs and many ministerial statements and debates, which users can follow from the public gallery or on Scottish Parliament TV’s dedicated channel. It has also increased the accessibility of the Parliament’s tours and events.

The Parliament’s ongoing commitment to produce information resources in BSL saw the launch of:• animations explaining the roles of the

Presiding Officer, committees and MSPs• resources on the Chamber and committees

in an increased range of languages, including BSL

• a guide outlining what the Parliament can offer BSL users

• fortnightly eBulletins on the Parliament’s BSL Facebook group, which now has more than 500 members

In December 2019, the Scotland’s Futures Forum seminar ‘Buaidh is piseach – Scotland 2030: Gaelic – what would success look like?’ considered the position that Gaelic could – and should – have in 2030 and beyond. Attendees heard from Professors Wilson McLeod and Tadhg Ó hlfearnáin and from Mary Ann Kennedy.

Is e prìomh phàirt de dh’obair na Pàrlamaid a bhith a’ leudachadh an raoin de dhaoine as urrainn fiosrachadh fhaighinn ma deidhinn.Mus deach stad a chur orra sa Mhàrt 2020 nuair a dhùin sgoiltean, lìbhrig prògraman foghlaim Phàrlamaid na h-Alba seirbheisean do timcheall air 22,000 sgoilear ann an Taigh an Ròid agus ann an clasaichean air feadh na h-Alba. Is e amas nam prògraman fiosrachadh a thoirt don ath ghinealach mun Phàrlamaid aca agus am brosnachadh gus an smuaintean agus an gnàth-eòlasan a thoirt seachad. Am measg tachartasan na bliadhna seo bha:• tachartasan sònraichte stèidhichte air a’

churraicealam, a’ gabhail a-steach na seiseanan fèillmhor ‘Cànan sa Phàrlamaid’ agus seisean ùr ‘Eòlas Mheadhanan sa Phàrlamaid’, a chuidicheas sgoilearan gus sgilean ar seirbheisean Craolaidh a thuigsinn

• co-labhairt Comann Nuadh-eòlais san t-Samhain 2019, far an do roinn còrr air 150 tidsear am beachdan gus na cleachdaidhean teagaisg aca a thoirt air adhart. Am measg nam prìomh chuspairean bha 20 bliadhna bho riaghladh tiomnaichte ann an Alba, agus àite nam meadhanan sòisealta ann am beatha dhaoine òga.

A bharrachd air sin, tha cothrom air a bhith aig a h-uile neach-foghlaim, sgoilear agus am mòr-shluagh air an raon fharsaing de ghoireasan air-loidhne agus ann an clò a chaidh a thoirt a-mach am-bliadhna.Mar phàirt den dealas aca gus bacaidhean cànain a bhriseadh sìos, tha a’ Phàrlamaid air a bhith a’ cur an gnìomh a Plana Cànan Soidhnidh Bhreatainn (BSL), a tha a’ feuchainn ri BSL fhilleadh a-steach do chridhe na h-obrach. Chaidh Oifigear Leasachaidh BSL fhastadh. Tha eadar-mhìneachadh beò BSL a-nis air a thoirt seachad airson a h-uile seisean de FMQ agus mòran aithrisean is deasbadan ministreil, as urrainn do luchd-cleachdaidh a leantainn bhon ghailearaidh phoblach no air sianal sònraichte Telebhisean Pàrlamaid na h-Alba. Tha e cuideachd air ruigsinneachd cuairtean is tachartasan na Pàrlamaid a mheudachadh.

Mar thoradh air dealas leantainneach na Pàrlamaid gus goireasan fiosrachaidh a thoirt gu buil ann am BSL rinneadh:• dealbhan-beò a’ mìneachadh dreuchdan an

Oifigear Riaghlaidh, comataidhean agus BPA • goireasan mun t-Seòmar agus comataidhean

ann an raon nas motha de chànanan, a’ gabhail a-steach BSL

• stiùireadh a’ mìneachadh nas urrainn don Phàrlamaid a thabhann do luchd-cleachdaidh BSL

• irisean-d gach cola-deug air buidheann Facebook BSL na Pàrlamaid, aig a bheil còrr air 500 ball a-nis

Anns an Dùbhlachd 2019, bheachdaich co-labhairt Fòram Alba air Thoiseach ‘Buaidh is piseach - Alba 2030: Gàidhlig – cò ris a bhiodh soirbheachas coltach?’ Air an t-suidheachadh sam faodadh – agus sam bu chòir – a’ Ghàidhlig a bhith ann an 2030 agus às a dhèidh. Chuala luchd-frithealaidh bho na h-Àrd-ollamhan Wilson McLeod agus Tadhg Ó hlfearnáin agus bho Màiri Anna NicUalraig.

Modern Studies Association conference

Co-labhairt a’ Chomann Nuadh-eòlais

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Chaidh aire a thoirt do BSL agus Gàidhlig cuideachd nuair a bhathar a’ leasachadh ghoireasan fiosrachaidh ùra airson daoine a chuideachadh a bhith a’ tuigsinn na tha a’ Phàrlamaid a’ dèanamh agus cò na BPAan aca. Chaidh tiotalan eile a chur ris an dà shreath de dhealbhan-beò a chaidh a chur air bhog an-uiridh. Tha ‘Laghan’, ‘Riaghaltas na h-Alba‘ agus ‘Buill Pàrlamaid na h-Alba’ a’ lìbhrigeadh inntrigeadh sìmplidh, tarraingeach do na cuspairean cudromach seo, agus tha ‘Ceistean a’ Phrìomh Mhinisteir’, ‘Àm Co-dhùnaidh’ agus ‘Pròiseas Buidseit na h-Alba’ a’ toirt seachad fiosrachadh nas mionaidiche, a’ soilleireachadh phròiseasan a bhios ag adhbharachadh mòran cheistean bhon phoball. Tha obair ga dhèanamh air dealbhan-beò eile anns gach sreath.

Other Gaelic highlights this year included an outreach event at Scotland’s Gaelic College, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, as part of the Presiding Officer’s visit to Skye, and the Parliament’s Gaelic Twitter feed achieving more than 3,000 followers.Progress has also been made by the Committee Engagement Unit (CEU). During its second year, the CEU continued to support and challenge parliamentary committees in developing their engagement with the public. Notable work included:• developing new tools for evaluating

engagement and providing feedback to participants.

• supporting the Health and Sport Committee’s primary care inquiry through innovative public panels who suggested key issues for use in questioning witnesses. Panel members later returned to ask the committee how public views would be reflected in its recommendations.

• in partnership with the Young Women’s Movement, establishing a third Young Women Lead committee. This enables young women to learn about policy making through running their own committee, supported by parliamentary staff and chaired by a Deputy Presiding Officer.

Am measg prìomh thachartasan na Gàidhlig am-bliadhna bha tachartas com-pàirteachaidh aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, mar phàirt de thuras an Oifigeir Riaghlaidh chun an Eilein Sgitheanaich, agus gun d’fhuair Twitter Gàidhlig na Pàrlamaid còrr air 3,000 neach-leanmhainn.Chaidh adhartas a dhèanamh cuideachd le Aonad Com-pàirteachadh Comataidh (CEU). Tron dàrna bliadhna, chùm an CEU a’ toirt taic agus dùbhlan do chomataidhean pàrlamaid ann a bhith a’ leasachadh an com-pàirteachaidh ris a’ phoball. Am measg a’ phrìomh obair a rinn iad bha:• cruthachadh innealan ùra airson

com-pàirteachadh a mheasadh agus fios air ais a thoirt do chom-pàirtichean.

• toirt taic do rannsachadh air bun-chùram leis a’ Chomataidh Slàinte is Spòrs tro phanailean poblach ùr-ghnàthach a mhol prìomh chùisean ann a bhith a’ ceasnachadh luchd-fianais. Thill buill a’ phanail a-rithist gus faighneachd don chomataidh ciamar a bhiodh beachdan a’ phobaill air an nochdadh anns na molaidhean aca.

• ann an com-pàirteachas le Iomairt nam Ban Òga, stèidheachadh treas comataidh Ceannardas Bhoireannach Òga. Leigidh seo le boireannaich òga ionnsachadh mu bhith a’ dèanamh poileasaidh tro bhith a’ ruith na comataidh aca fhèin, le taic bho luchd-obrach pàrlamaid agus le Leas-oifigear Riaghlaidh sa chathair.

Mus do sguir an conaltradh aghaidh-ri-aghaidh, bha tachartasan agus taisbeanaidhean a-rithist a’ tabhann raon farsaing de chothroman conaltraidh do BPA agus don mhòr-shluagh.Mar phàirt den phrògram inntinneach de thachartasan a chaidh a chumail gus 20mh ceann-bliadhna na Pàrlamaid a chomharrachadh, bhruidhinn A Mòrachd a’ Bhanrigh ris a’ Phàrlamaid air Disathairne 29 Ògmhios 2019. Bha cothrom aig a h-uile duine an uair sin pàirt a ghabhail anns na tachartasan aig Feasgar Fosgailte a chuir cuideam air fosgailteachd agus ruigsinneachd na Pàrlamaid. Am measg nan seiseanan, a bha air an deagh fhrithealadh, bha còmhraidhean pannail, ceòl beò agus gnìomhachdan do theaghlaichean. Rinn com-pàirtichean ann am farpais dhealbhan air-loidhne ath-chruthachadh de dhealbh dhiubh fhèin a rinneadh bho choinn 20 bliadhna. Chaidh tachartasan an latha a chlàradh is a sgaoileadh air na meadhanan sòisealta, le ìrean àrda de ghnìomhachd, a’ gabhail a-steach tweets beò bhon t-Seòmar (bha #ScotParl20 a’ treandadh air Twitter) agus geàrr-chunntasan air Facebook.

2020 Young Women Lead committee meeting

Coinneamh Comataidh Ceannardas Bhoireannach Òga 2020

Before face-to-face engagement ceased, events and exhibitions again provided a wide range of engagement opportunities for MSPs and the public.Part of the exciting programme of events that took place to mark the Parliament’s 20th anniversary was on Saturday 29 June, when Her Majesty The Queen addressed the Parliament. There was then an opportunity for all to join in the celebrations at an Open Afternoon, which emphasised the Parliament’s openness and accessibility. Well-attended sessions included panel discussions, live performances and family-friendly activities. Participants in an online photo competition bravely recreated a photo of themselves from 20 years ago. The day’s events were well recorded on social media, with high levels of activity, including live tweets from the Chamber (leading to #ScotParl20 trending on Twitter) and highlights on Facebook.

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Her Majesty The Queen at the Scottish Parliament’s 20th anniversary celebrations

A Mòrachd a’ Bhanrigh aig cuirm 20 ceann-bliadhna Phàrlamaid na h-Alba

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A new section of the exhibition Parliament and You was also launched as part of the anniversary celebrations. It explores campaigners’ stories and how changes in the law on several issues – from the public smoking ban to LGBT+ rights – have had a positive impact on the lives of people in Scotland.In October 2019, the Parliament’s 20th anniversary continued to be marked at the 15th Festival of Politics, which looked both at its history and towards the future. A three-day programme explored a series of political and social anniversaries. Panel discussion topics included the publication of the Macpherson Report; the Stonewall riot; Islamophobia; Brexit; citizens’ assemblies; homelessness; and climate change. The always popular In conversation with… talks this year featured Dr Rangan Chatterjee and Baroness Helena Kennedy QC. The Garden Lobby was again transformed into the Festival Café Bar, which hosted a free music and dance programme. It also staged two exhibitions linked to Festival panels: Women in Science in Scotland; and The Art of Intelligent Ageing, by artist Fionna Carlisle. The Festival was promoted across social media channels, which extended the reach of its key events.

Chaidh earrann ùr den taisbeanadh Thu fhèin is do Phàrlamaid fhèin a chur air bhog cuideachd mar phàirt den chomharrachadh ceann-bliadhna. Tha e a’ coimhead air sgeulachdan luchd-iomairt agus mar a tha atharrachaidhean san lagh air grunn chùisean – bho chasg air smocadh poblach gu còraichean LGBT + – air buaidh mhath a thoirt air beatha dhaoine ann an Alba.Anns an Dàmhair 2019, lean comharrachadh 20mh ceann-bliadhna na Pàrlamaid air aig an 15mh Fèis Poilitigs, a choimhead an dà chuid air eachdraidh na Pàrlamaid agus air an àm ri teachd. Bha prògram trì latha a’ rannsachadh sreath de chinn-bliadhna poilitigeach agus sòisealta. Am measg nan cuspairean deasbad panail bha foillseachadh Aithisg Mhic a’ Phearsain; aimhreit Stonewall; oillt-Ioslamach; Brexit; seanaidhean shaoranaich; dìth dachaigh; agus atharrachadh gnàth-thìde. An-còmhnaidh fèillmhor, chuala ann an còmhradh le… am-bliadhna bho an Dr Rangan Chatterjee agus a’ Bhana-mhorair Helena Cheanadach QC. Chaidh Lobaidh a’ Ghàrraidh atharrachadh a-rithist gu Bàr Cafaidh na Fèise, a chùm prògram ciùil is dannsa an-asgaidh. Cuideachd, chùm e dà thaisbeanadh ceangailte ri panailean na Fèise: Women in Science in Scotland; agus The Art of Intelligent Aging, leis an neach-ealain Fionna Carlisle. Chaidh aire a thogail mun Fhèis thar seanailean mheadhanan sòisealta, a leudaich ruigsinneachd nam prìomh thachartasan aige.

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Performer at the Festival of Politics

Cleasaiche aig an Fhèis Poilitigs

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In November 2019, in partnership with Young Scot and the Scottish Youth Parliament, the Parliament held the first Young People’s Festival of Politics, attracting almost 1,000 visitors. Youth-led panels discussed activism, climate change, mental health, happiness, and digital rights; and workshops and live music performances were also held.Scotland’s Women Stand – another innovative event – took place in September 2019, in partnership with The Parliament Project. Almost 300 women from diverse backgrounds gathered at Holyrood, and others took part via web links in four regional hubs across Scotland. A Chamber discussion (with live BSL interpreting) was followed by workshops aimed at inspiring women to run for political office at all levels.Other major events this year included the Great Get Together, inspired by the memory of Jo Cox MP; the Euroquiz 2019 final; the Donald Dewar Memorial Debate; the Scottish Older People’s Assembly; a St Andrew’s Day Debate; the National Secondary Schools’ Gaelic Debate final; and International Women’s Day in March 2020.

The Parliament continued to be busy with visitors, although this year’s numbers were inevitably affected by the Covid-19 restrictions. For the second consecutive year, the Parliament received VisitScotland’s five-star visitor attraction award. It gained high marks for the quality of its popular guided tours programme, the inclusivity of its visitor experience, the quality of its retail services, and the cleanliness and maintenance of the building.Created initially for the Open Afternoon in June, a new series of Ten-Minute Talks has since been delivered to 11,900 visitors. They include a presentation on the Parliament’s history and a short quiz on devolved and reserved matters. A Family Trail booklet was also launched, containing activities for younger visitors in and around the Parliament building.The Parliament shop launched a new guidebook, which was popular with visitors – as was merchandise commemorating the 20th anniversary. Sustainability and recycling were key features of other new product lines featured in the shop.

San t-Samhain 2019, ann an com-pàirteachas le Young Scot agus Pàrlamaid Òigridh na h-Alba, chùm a’ Phàrlamaid a’ chiad Fhèis Poilitigs Dhaoine Òga, a’ tàladh faisg air 1,000 neach. Bheachdaich panailean air an stiùireadh le òigridh air obair-iomairt, atharrachadh gnàth-thìde, slàinte inntinn, toileachas, agus còraichean didseatach; agus chaidh bùthan-obrach agus cuirmean-ciùil beò a chumail cuideachd.Chaidh Scotland’s Women Stand – tachartas ùr-ghnàthach eile – a chumail san t-Sultain 2019, ann an com-pàirteachas le Pròiseact na Pàrlamaid. Chruinnich faisg air 300 boireannach bho iomadh eachdraidh aig Taigh an Ròid, agus ghabh feadhainn eile pàirt tro cheanglaichean lìn ann an ceithir mòr-ionadan roinneil air feadh na h-Alba. Chaidh deasbad san t-Seòmar (le eadar-mhìneachadh BSL beò) a leantainn le bùthan-obrach a bha ag amas air boireannaich a bhrosnachadh gu bhith a’ ruith airson oifis phoilitigeach aig gach ìre.Am measg prìomh thachartasan eile am-bliadhna bha an Great Get Together, air a bhrosnachadh le cuimhne Jo Cox BP; cuairt dheireannach Euroquiz 2019; Deasbad Cuimhneachaidh Dhòmhnaill Mhic an Deòir; Seanadh Seann Daoine na h-Alba; Deasbad Latha Naoimh Anndrais; cuairt dheireannach Deasbad Gàidhlig nan Àrd-sgoiltean; agus Latha Eadar-nàiseanta nam Ban sa Mhàrt 2020.

Bha a’ Phàrlamaid fhathast trang le luchd-tadhail, ged a bha e do-sheachanta gum biodh buaidh aig cuingealachadh Covid-19 air àireamhan na bliadhna seo. Airson an dàrna bliadhna an dèidh a chèile, fhuair a’ Phàrlamaid duais luchd-tadhail còig rionnagan VisitScotland. Choisinn e comharran àrda airson càileachd a’ phrògraim turasan treòraichte fhèillmhor aige, cho in-ghabhalach ’s a tha e do luchd-tadhail, càileachd a sheirbheisean reic, agus glainead is cumail suas an togalaich.Air a chruthachadh an toiseach airson Feasgar Fosgailte san Ògmhios, chaidh sreath ùr de chòmhraidhean Deich-Mionaid a lìbhrigeadh bhon uair sin gu 11,900 luchd-tadhail. Nam measg tha taisbeanadh air eachdraidh na Pàrlamaid agus ceisteachan goirid mu chùisean tiomnaichte is glèidhte. Chaidh leabhran Slighe Teaghlaich a chur air bhog cuideachd, le gnìomhan do luchd-tadhail nas òige ann an togalach na Pàrlamaid agus mun cuairt.Chuir bùth na Pàrlamaid leabhar-iùil ùr air bhog, a chòrd ri luchd-tadhail, agus bathar a’ comharrachadh 20 ceann-bliadhna, air an robh fèill cuideachd. Bha seasmhachd agus ath-chuairteachadh nam prìomh fheartan de rudan ùra eile a tha rim faighinn sa bhùth.

Pupils at the Gaelic Schools debate

Sgoilearan aig Deasbad Gàidhlig nan Sgoiltean

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As well as improving what is offered to visitors to Holyrood, in this digital age, the Parliament has continued to develop how it informs and engages with the public online – and this took on particular significance after face-to-face engagement ceased. There has been innovation on the Parliament’s social media channels, all of which experienced significant growth during the year.On Twitter, the newly launched @SPICe_Research account attracted much public interest as a source of impartial information on issues of national importance, such as the implications of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic.The Parliament recently developed the ability to stream live video on Twitter, to complement its established Facebook Live offering. During the year, Twitter users were able to watch 43 live sessions, which attracted 77,000 views. Ministerial statements, debates and other parliamentary business continued to be broadcast on Facebook, which carried 40 live streams, attracting almost 520,000 views. The Parliament also experimented with live coverage of committee meetings, including those of the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee on climate change and the Finance and Constitution Committee on budget scrutiny, both of which generated significant viewing figures. Given the positive response from viewers, both Twitter and Facebook will continue to be used, as appropriate, to reach the relevant audiences.

A bharrachd air a bhith a’ leasachadh na tha air a thabhann do luchd-tadhail gu Taigh an Ròid, san aois dhidseatach seo, tha a’ Phàrlamaid air cumail a’ leasachadh mar a bhios iad toirt a’ fiosrachadh don phoball agus a’ conaltradh riutha air-loidhne – agus bha seo gu sònraichte cudromach às dèidh do chonaltradh aghaidh-ri-aghaidh sgur.Bha seanailean mheadhanan sòisealta na Pàrlamaid ag obair gu h-innleachdach, agus bha fàs mòr annta uile tron bhliadhna.Air Twitter, fhuair an cunntas ùr @SPICe_Research mòran aire bhon phoball mar thùs air fiosrachadh neo-thaobhach air cùisean cudromach, leithid buaidh Brexit agus galar lèir-sgaoilte Covid-19.O chionn ghoirid thòisich a’ Phàrlamaid a’ craoladh bhidio beò air Twitter, gus cur ris an t-seirbheis stèidhichte Facebook Live aca. Tron bhliadhna, bha e comasach do luchd-cleachdaidh Twitter 43 seisean beò fhaicinn, a tharraing 77,000 sealladh. Chaidh aithrisean ministreil, deasbadan agus gnothaichean pàrlamaideach eile a chraoladh air Facebook, air an robh 40 sruthan beò, a’ tarraing faisg air 520,000 sealladh. Dh’fheuch a’ Phàrlamaid cuideachd ri craoladh beò a dhèanamh de choinneamhan comataidh, a’ toirt a-steach coinneamhan Comataidh na h-Àrainneachd, Atharrachadh Gnàth-thìde agus Ath-leasachadh Fearainn air atharrachadh gnàth-thìde, agus Comataidh an Ionmhais is a’ Bhun-reachd air sgrùdadh buidseit, agus fhuair na dhà àireamhan luchd-coimhid susbainteach. Leis mar a fhuair iad deagh bheachd an luchd-amhairc, leanaidh na cunntasan Twitter agus Facebook a bhith air an cleachdadh, mar a bhios iomchaidh, gus an luchd-coimhid buntainneach a ruighinn.

This year, the Parliament’s Instagram account introduced themed content and more frequent posting. By October 2019, the interest generated had led to the account reaching the milestone of having 10,000 followers. Successful online events included a ‘social stroll’ around spots in Edinburgh of significance to the Parliament’s history, on which Instagrammers were invited to post content to spread the word about the 20th anniversary. Among other Instagram posts, a favourite showed Quita the Kitty, who has her own popular account, outside the building – just one small illustration of how successful the Parliament has been in fostering greater engagement with the Instagram community.

Am-bliadhna, thug cunntas Instagram na Pàrlamaid a-steach susbaint chuspaireil agus bha iad a’ postadh nas trice. Ruig an cunntas a’ chlach mhìle de 10,000 neach-leanntainn san Dàmhair 2019 mar thoradh air an ùidh a bha e air togail. Bha tachartasan soirbheachail air-loidhne a’ toirt a-steach ‘cuairt chaidreachais’ timcheall àiteachan ann an Dùn Èideann a bha cudromach do dh’eachdraidh na Pàrlamaid, air an deach cuireadh a thoirt do luchd-cleachdaidh Instagram gus susbaint a phostadh gus am facal a sgaoileadh mun 20mh ceann-bliadhna. Am measg postan Instagram eile, bha aon den fheadhainn a b’ fhèillmhoire, a’ sealltainn Quita the Kitty, aig a bheil cunntas mòr aice fhèin, taobh a-muigh an togalaich – dìreach aon sealladh beag air cho soirbheachail ’s a tha a’ Phàrlamaid air a bhith a’ brosnachadh barrachd conaltraidh le coimhearsnachd Instagram.

Conscious that digital engagement has the potential to bring more voices into scrutiny of parliamentary business, the Parliament has been trialling three digital tools this year: Citizen Space, Dialogue and Your Priorities. Evaluation suggests that:• people find the tools easy to use and would

be happy to use them regularly• they can lower barriers to engagement and

so encourage the participation of more people who would not generally respond to traditional calls for views – for example, social care users and young people with mental health problems

• they are useful for various activities, from consultations and surveys to gathering personal stories and scoping committee inquiries

Welcome to The Scottish Parliament’s new website

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While committees’ Twitter accounts continue to highlight their reports, scrutiny programmes and external visits, their social media activity has increasingly focused on digital engagement. For example, promotion of the pre-Climate Change Plan consultation – a cross-committee project working on the Your Priorities platform – reached thousands of people. Various building blocks to support improved digital services are also now in place through the Parliament’s web and online programme. This year saw approval of a new content strategy that aims to make services as accessible as possible, taking as its guiding principles that content should be user-centred, findable, accessible, and consistent in quality, style and tone.Progress on the new Scottish Parliament website, too, has continued apace, with the beta site now the only place to access session 5 legislation. Other services added to the beta site this year include MSP information, elections, debates, questions and committee information. The project team continues to develop services and is on track to complete the project in 2021. Follow progress at beta.parliament.scot.

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Le aithne gu bheil comas aig conaltradh didseatach barrachd ghuthan a thoirt a-steach gu sgrùdadh air gnothaichean pàrlamaid, tha a’ Phàrlamaid air a bhith a’ feuchainn trì innealan didseatach am-bliadhna: Citizen Space, Dialogue agus Your Priorities. Tha measadh luachaidh ag innse:• gu bheil e furasta do dhaoine na h-innealan

a chleachdadh agus bhiodh iad toilichte an cleachdadh gu cunbhalach

• gum faod iad cnapan-starra a thaobh com-pàirteachadh a lùghdachadh agus mar sin barrachd dhaoine a bhrosnachadh nach biodh mar as trice a’ freagairt ghairmean traidiseanta airson bheachdan – mar eisimpleir, luchd-cleachdaidh cùram sòisealta agus daoine òga le duilgheadasan slàinte inntinn

• gu bheil iad feumail airson diofar ghnìomhan, bho cho-chomhairlean agus sgrùdaidhean gu bhith a’ tional sgeulachdan pearsanta agus a’ sgrùdadh rannsachaidhean comataidh

Fhad ’s a tha cunntasan Twitter chomataidhean a’ leantainn orra a’ nochdadh nan aithisgean aca, prògraman sgrùdaidh agus tadhal air an taobh a-muigh, tha an gnìomhachd mheadhanan sòisealta aca air a bhith a’ cuimseachadh barrachd air com-pàirteachadh didseatach. Mar eisimpleir, ràinig co-chomhairleachadh Plana Atharrachadh Gnàth-thìde – pròiseact thar-chomataidh ag obair air an ùrlar Your Priorities – mìltean de dhaoine.Tha innealan gus taic a thoirt do sheirbheisean didseatach nas fheàrr a-nis stèidhichte tro phrògram lìn agus air-loidhne na Pàrlamaid.Am-bliadhna chaidh aonta a thoirt do ro-innleachd susbaint ùir a tha ag amas air seirbheisean a dhèanamh cho ruigsinneach ’s a ghabhas, a’ gabhail ris na prionnsapalan stiùiridh aige gum bu chòir susbaint a bhith stèidhichte air an neach-cleachdaidh, furasta a lorg, ruigsinneach, agus cunbhalach a thaobh càileachd, stoidhle agus blas.Tha adhartas air làrach-lìn ùr Pàrlamaid na h-Alba cuideachd air leantainn gu sgiobalta, leis an làrach beta a-nis mar an aon àite airson reachdas seisean 5 fhaighinn. Am measg sheirbheisean eile a chuireadh air an làraich beta am-bliadhna bha Fiosrachadh BPA, taghaidhean, deasbadan, ceistean agus fiosrachadh comataidh. Tha sgioba a’ phròiseict a’ leantainn air adhart a’ leasachadh sheirbheisean agus tha iad air an t-slighe gus am pròiseact a thoirt gu crìch ann an 2021. Lean adhartas aig beta.parliament.scot.

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